MedicinePOMEssential

Suxamethonium Chloride

A fast-acting muscle relaxant (succinylcholine) used during anaesthesia and intubation.

Clinical information

Common uses

muscle relaxation for tracheal intubation
muscle relaxation during surgery, alongside anaesthesia

Common side effects

muscle twitching (fasciculations)
muscle pain after surgery

Cautions

cardiac arrest risk in children with undiagnosed muscle disease (boxed warning)
can trigger malignant hyperthermia
high potassium (hyperkalaemia) risk
effect greatly prolonged in people with atypical cholinesterase

Interactions

oral contraceptives
glucocorticoids (steroids)
MAOI antidepressants (all may prolong its effect)

Pregnancy: specialist use only — its effect may last longer in pregnancy

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) injection label (Sandoz), setid 04a4e6f5-6fa1-42e1-a3f9-21fca7786b15 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Suxamethonium Chloride	Parenteral ( Injection )	50mg/ml	—	POM
Suxomin	Parenteral ( Injection )	50mg/ml	authorized medicine importers	POM